Updated on Nov 28th 2010

Young Members

The Otago Branch has a strong Young Members group with two current young member representatives on the local committee, working to ensure the organisation is relevant for young women today.  We are proud that these two YM representatives hold the positions of President and Vice-President on the Otago committee.

We have an enthusiastic group of postgraduate students and professional women that meet for dinners out and other social functions throughout the year. Last year this included functions such as a “Curry Club” night where we learnt to make samosas and lamb korma (and then ate it!), a potluck dinner, and a Christmas BBQ.

We run workshops of significance to our membership, including topics such as work-life balance and writing submissions. Next year we are planning to offer a workshop on “Preparing to Present: A Guide to Great Conference Presentations”. Keep checking this page and the upcoming events for further information.

The Otago branch is extremely supportive of young member initiatives and individual young members. Branch meetings provide an excellent base for developing networks and contacts with women across a range of disciplines.

You may be aware that the Otago Branch of the NZFGW provides the regalia for the graduation ceremonies of the University of Otago, the Dunedin College of Education and the Otago Polytechnic. Funds raised from the hire of regalia are used to help promote education for women. We achieve this by providing Travel Awards to attend conferences and workshops and Helen Benson Awards for non-graduate women access ‘second-chance’ education or to retrain. By helping hand out regalia throughout the year you are helping other women further their education.

Organising a winter lecture is also a role of the Young Members. In 2010 Lisa Matisoo-Smith spoke on One Woman’s Journey in Prehistory.

Our branch also encourages young members to participate at Federation of Graduate Women conferences. In 2009, Sian, Martine and Angela represented our branch at National conference in Auckland and then, in 2010, they attended the International Federation of University Women Conference in Mexico. At the International conference Sian and Martine ran a workshop on Women and Sustainable Living and Martine presented a paper on “Degrees of Intoxication: Young Women and Alcohol in a New Zealand University Community”.

NZFGW members making cards

A mentoring scheme is available for young members, with a broad range of experience and expertise available from within the membership of the local branch. If you are interested in further information about this scheme please email Martine (martinec@op.ac.nz). You can also establish links with overseas mentors. One way of doing this is by joining the International Federation of University Women’s Young Members Network. This network is a great way to chat with women from all over the world and to discover common interests.

We encourage you to participate actively within the Branch and to stand for positions on the committee. Please contact us if you would like more information about the young members group. We look forward to meeting you.

Martine Cashell-Smith (Young Member’s Representative)

We currently have two young member reps: Sian Halcrow and Martine Cashell-Smith.

Martine Cashell-Smith

Martine is a Project Co-ordinator at the Otago Polytechnic. She has two daughters (fourteen and six)who keep her very busy. She is enjoying her roles as Branch President and Young Members’ Rep and is hoping to encourage other graduate and undergraduate women with children to join as she sees FGW as a great organization to represent and support such women.  Martine is also currently on the International Federation of University Women Membership Committee and has represented YMs internationally at the November 2010 IFUW Board meeting in Geneva.